“Sitimon Sawian Centre for Inclusive Education.” National Institute of Technology Meghalaya, Sohra
 

Smt Sitimon Sawian was born in Shillong on 21^st February 1924. She was a dynamic lady and was the pillar behind the foundation of several organizations in undivided Assam and Meghalaya. She was the founder member of “Synjuk Kynthei,” in 1948, the first non-sectarian women’s organization in the region. In 1954, Smt Sawian was selected as the Secretary of Rural Field extension, where she worked hard and created policies for the betterment of the rural people. She was also a Member of the Assam Social Welfare Board and later nominates as a Member of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. She took a keen interest in education and succeeded in upgrading Seng Khasi School into a full-fledged Higher Secondary School. She was the founder and President of the Indian Council of Child Welfare and a member of the Mary Rice Centre for the Disabled.

In 1972, Smt Sawian suffered a major health crisis resulting in restricted mobility. Despite her disabilities, she worked for the betterment of society in various roles and through various organizations.

In recognition of her dedicated services to the people of the State, Region and Country, the Government of India conferred her with Padmasree in 1974. Smt Sitimon Sawian is the first recipient of Padmasree from the State of Meghalaya.

A proposal has been received from Shri Wallamphang Roy, Hon’ble Member of Board of Governors of NIT Meghalaya, to introduce some noble initiatives in memory of Smt Sitimon Sawian. The centre aims at empowering everyone who are disadvantaged. A primary objective of this centre would be to aid people with disabilities. But further empowerment happens when we recognize those sections of the society that need support, who are disadvantaged by lack of education, lack of facilities, lack of access and lack of support.

Shri Wallamphang Roy benevolently promised to fund the initiative through contributions from his side. After brainstorming with various stake holders, it was proposed that a centre be established at the permanent campus of NIT Meghalaya at Sohra and named as “Sitimon Sawian Centre for Inclusive Education.” The sum donated by Shri Wallamphang Roy will serve as the corpus fund for this centre. NIT Meghalaya will provide the space for the establishment of this centre.

The proposal to set up “Sitimon Sawian Centre for Inclusive Education” has been approved by the Board of Governors. The main purpose of this centre at the initiation stage will be focussed in these sectors:

1. Empowerment of those who have special needs due to physical and mental challenges.
   1. The computer training for the visually impaired that is being organized at the temporary campus will be shifted to this centre and certificate courses will be developed.

1. 2. Skill development courses for people with special needs for that they are empowered to earn livelihood and sustain themselves.
2. Empowerment of people disadvantaged by location, education and financial condition.
   1. Enable education towards skill enhancement for the people of Sohra especially those who are not able to receive formal education.
   2. NIT Meghalaya would design special courses for targeted groups so that the benefits of this centre can reach to all the affected persons in the region.

The interest from the corpus fund will be used to fund the schemes proposed above. After establishing the centre, CSR funds would be sought from various organizations to fund more significant initiatives to enable the differently abled.

This centre would be a unique initiative of NIT Meghalaya that would directly impact the people of the region and foster the growth of every individual who is interested, whether the person is challenged or is from an area that has its own challenges. 

Based on a thorough study of the requirements of the people the centre has started the following initiatives:

1. NIT Meghalaya organized a three-week Summer Internship Programme for undergraduate students from Shillong College in the Departments of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The programme provided hands-on laboratory experience, exposure to research activities, and mentorship from faculty members. It enhanced students' scientific knowledge, research aptitude, and analytical skills while encouraging them to pursue higher studies and careers in science and technology.
2. NIT Meghalaya through the Sitimon Sawian Centre for Inclusive Education has signed and MoU with JSV Innovations. Through this MoU, a Schools for Skills: Allied Health Sciences has been established at NIT Meghalaya. The SFS has started the first course on General Duty Assistants (GDA) on 11^th August 2025 which has already been affiliated to NSDC. 25 students have enrolled in this course, and two staff have been recruited in this School. The school will soon begin courses on Operation Theatre Assistants and Dialysis Assistants. Presently these are certificate courses, and soon diploma courses are planned to be started.   
3. A group of researchers from the University of Boston, Cambridge and Seoul have developed a technology called DOT. Through this technology visually impaired people would be able to study graphics, mathematics, equations in addition to normal reading and writing. The Sitimon Sawian Centre is in negotiations to start a professional course for the visually impaired using this technology. The MoU has been signed in September 2025.